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8 Jul 2012

The Centre has approved construction of 300 MW Lakhwad Hydro-power project and also consented to provide fund for the project.

Decision to this affect was taken during the meeting chaired by Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Pulak Chatterjee with Chief Secretaries and Secretaries (Power) of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh at Prime Minister Office, New Delhi on Thursday to discuss about hydro-power projects related to these states.

The PMO directed the officers concerned to grant all necessary clearance for Lakhwad project to be constructed on River Yamuna and also the financial assistance to Uttarakhand Government so that the project would be completed soon.

Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain and Secretary Power SS Sandhu strongly advocated the State's stand on the issue. Mr. Jain also urged the Centre to start stalled power-projects in Uttarakhand. He said that the difference between demand and supply had increased owing to which the general public were not being provided with undisrupted power supply. He urged that in the interest of the country and the state the permission be granted to restart construction of stalled power projects.

It may be noted that Kisau Hydro-power project with capacity of 660 MW will benefit Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh. This project which is to be constructed on River Tons is a joint venture of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, while, 300 MW Lakhwad project solely belongs to Uttarakhand. Under these projects, water would be stored through dam and distributed to five states including Delhi.